The Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres, has called for an immediate, full and unconditional ceasefire in Ukraine, describing the conflict as “a stain on our collective conscience”.
Speaking to the United Nations Security Council to mark the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, António Guterres urged member states to fully fund humanitarian assistance and stressed that any settlement must uphold the country’s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders.
Guterres warned that ongoing fighting poses direct risks to the safe operation of Ukraine’s nuclear sites, describing the situation as an “unconscionable game of nuclear roulette” that must cease immediately.
Referring to United Nations monitoring, he said more than 15,000 civilians have been killed and more than 41,000 injured since the start of the invasion, including approximately 3,200 children. Millions have fled their homes, while over one-third of displaced children, an estimated 2.2 million, still require humanitarian support.
Condemning attacks on civilians and infrastructure, Guterres stressed, “International humanitarian law is unequivocal: attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure are strictly prohibited. I condemn all such attacks, no matter where they occur.”
He also welcomed ongoing prisoner exchanges and urged that detainees be treated humanely and released in accordance with international law, including the return of Ukrainian children transferred to Russia or occupied areas.
While commending the efforts of the United States and other nations to promote peace, Guterres emphasised that concrete measures are needed to de-escalate the conflict and create space for diplomacy.
“Enough with the death. Enough with the destruction. Enough with the broken lives and shattered futures,” he said.
“It is time for an immediate, full and unconditional ceasefire. This is the first step towards a just peace that saves lives and ends the endless suffering,” he added.
His remarks were read on his behalf by Rosemary DiCarlo, U.N. Under-Secretary-General for Peacebuilding.
As the full-scale invasion of Ukraine enters its fifth year, the humanitarian and security challenges remain acute.
Civilians continue to face devastating consequences, while UN officials and global leaders persist in calling for a full, unconditional ceasefire and sustained humanitarian assistance.
Poland has declared two days of national mourning after a gunman opened fire in Kraków's historic main square. Investigators are examini...
Prosecutors in Paraguay have charged former President Santiago Peña and ex-central bank chief Carlos Carvallo Spalding over the collapse of ...
The U.S. military has established a new unit to stop Iran transporting advanced weapons systems via its land borders and the Caspian Sea. ...
Democrats' sweeping victory in the U.S. midterm elections has sent technology stocks plunging, as investors fear tougher AI regulations could slow infrastructure development and threaten the boom that has driven market gains this year.
Poland has declared two days of national mourning after a gunman opened fire in Kraków's historic main square. Investigators are examining possible far-right influences and the discovery of three bodies at the suspect's home.
U.S. President Donald Trump has predicted a breakthrough in efforts to end the war in Ukraine after meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin’s envoy, Kirill Dmitriev, ahead of U.S.-mediated peace talks between Moscow and Kyiv in Abu Dhabi on 10-11 November.
Two people, including a child, were killed and 16 others injured when an intercity bus crashed in eastern France on Friday morning, authorities confirmed.
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has vowed to fight attempts to impeach him, dismissing the growing campaign against him as politically motivated amid mounting criticism of his handling of the war in Iran.
Poland has declared two days of national mourning after a gunman opened fire in Kraków's historic main square. Investigators are examining possible far-right influences and the discovery of three bodies at the suspect's home.
Prosecutors in Paraguay have charged former President Santiago Peña and ex-central bank chief Carlos Carvallo Spalding over the collapse of Ueno Bank, and have asked a court to hold both men in pretrial detention.
Paraguay’s Vice President Pedro Alliana has assumed the presidency after the Senate impeached and ousted Santiago Peña amid a banking crisis that sparked widespread political backlash.
New Zealand’s ruling centre-right National Party has taken a narrow lead over the opposition Labour Party in Saturday’s general election, with the country’s current three-party coalition projected to retain power.
Russian forces launched a ballistic missile attack on Kyiv early on Saturday, 7 November, injuring two people and damaging residential buildings, just three days before U.S.-led peace talks with Ukraine and Russia in Abu Dhabi.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment